IBT Staff Reporter

Sumner Redstone's National Amusements has received interest from strategic rivals and private equity firms for its U.S. and U.K. theater chains, two sources with knowledge of the auction said.

For years, U.S. hedge fund managers have worried that their loosely regulated and secretive industry would one day face tougher regulations.

An International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir may have compromised the quest for peace in Darfur, a U.N. and African Union mediator said on Thursday.

Economic uncertainty due to job losses means potential home buyers should hold off as prices are set to drop up to 20 percent in the next 18 months, economist Nouriel Roubini said on Thursday, according to report.

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn said he has not spoken recently with Lions Gate Entertainment Corp , which on Thursday warned a change in control of the company could cause a debt default for the studio that has become a focus of Icahn's hostile overtures.

Two of the most respected U.S. newspaper publishers, The Washington Post Co and The New York Times Co, are embarking on new cost cuts in the face of dramatic declines in advertising revenue.

Stocks rallied for a second straight day on Thursday, taking the Nasdaq back into positive territory for the year-to-date, on increasing optimism that the economy's worst days are behind after the government reported data that was less dire than expected.

Stocks rallied for a second straight day on Thursday, taking the Nasdaq back into positive territory for the year-to-date, on increasing optimism that the economy's worst days are behind after the government reported data that was less dire than expected.

Billionaire investor Carl Icahn said he has not recently spoken with Lions Gate Entertainment Corp , which on Thursday warned that a change in control of the company could cause a debt default.

Wall Street faces curbs on risk taking and the prospect of lower profits under sweeping U.S. proposals to prevent a repeat of the credit crisis.

American International Group Inc , which has received $180 billion in U.S. taxpayer money, was subpoenaed on Thursday by New York's top legal officer for information on its credit default swaps contracts, sources familiar with the matter said.

Technology outsourcing and consulting firm Accenture Ltd reported a drop in quarterly sales and lowered its profit outlook for the full year due to the global economic slowdown, dragging its shares down 6 percent.

U.S. corporate profits plunged a record $120.1 billion in the fourth quarter as the economy shrank at its fastest pace since 1982, depressed by a slump in consumer spending and exports, government data showed on Thursday.

President Barack Obama said on Thursday the administration would unveil its next steps to help the troubled U.S. auto industry in the coming days, provided the companies push ahead with a sweeping restructuring.

Best Buy Co posted a 23 percent drop in quarterly profit, but its shares rose after the retailer's adjusted results topped Wall Street estimates, and it forecast full-year profit above expectations as it benefits from the closure of former rival Circuit City.

Stocks rallied for a second straight day on Thursday, taking the Nasdaq back into positive territory for the year-to-date, on increasing optimism that the economy's worst days are behind after the government reported data that was less dire than expected.

Top Federal Reserve officials hinted on Thursday that the long U.S. economic downturn could be in its final stages, although the early stages of recovery will likely be far from stellar.

American International Group Inc , which has received $180 billion in U.S. taxpayer money, was subpoenaed on Thursday by New York's top legal officer for information on its credit default swaps contracts, sources familiar with the matter said.

Google Inc is cutting its sales and marketing team by roughly 200 employees, saying it had over-invested in certain parts of the company.

No one can easily define it.

The Federal Reserve failed to spot the global financial crisis ahead of time, but its aggressive rescue efforts should soon stem the decline in growth, Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher said on Thursday.

Southwest Airlines reached a tentative agreement with flight attendants on a four-year contract through May 31, 2012, the Dallas-based carrier said on Thursday.

The New York Times Co laid off 100 employees on Thursday and cut salaries for the rest of the year by 5 percent, and said it might cut newsroom jobs at its namesake newspaper if it cannot get union employees to agree to a similar cut.

Stocks rose for a second straight day on Thursday on continued optimism the U.S. recession may be easing, as fourth-quarter economic data and weekly jobless claims that were in line with expectations kept the focus on positive signs earlier in the week.

Two former KPMG executives convicted of selling improper tax shelters should be sentenced to as much as 24 years imprisonment, U.S. prosecutors said in court papers on Thursday.

Stocks rose for a second straight day on Thursday on continued optimism the U.S. recession may be easing, as fourth-quarter economic data and weekly jobless claims that were in line with expectations kept the focus on positive signs earlier in the week.

Washington Post Co plans to offer a new round of buyouts in 2009 to employees at its namesake, money-losing newspaper and cannot rule out layoffs, its publisher said on Thursday.

Washington Post Co plans to offer a new round of buyouts in 2009 to employees at its namesake, money-losing newspaper and cannot rule out layoffs, its publisher said on Thursday.

President Barack Obama said on Thursday that struggling U.S. auto companies could expect some government aid if they commit to restructuring their businesses and that an announcement on the issue was coming soon.